Circuit structure and fabrication method thereof

ABSTRACT

A circuit structure is provided, which includes a plurality of conductive posts, and a plurality of first and second conductive pads formed on two opposite end surfaces of the conductive posts, respectively. A length of each of the first conductive pads is greater than a width of the first conductive pad so as to reduce an occupation area of the first conductive pad along the width and increase a distance between adjacent first conductive pads, thereby increasing the wiring density and meeting the wiring demand.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) the benefit of Taiwanese Application No. 103120816, filed Jun. 17, 2014, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to circuit structures and fabrication methods thereof, and more particularly, to a circuit structure and a fabrication method thereof for meeting the miniaturization requirement.

2. Description of Related Art

Along with the rapid development of electronic industries, electronic products are required to be much lighter, thinner, shorter and smaller and multi-functional. Accordingly, there have been developed various types of semiconductor packages and various types of packaging substrates for disposing semiconductor chips. For example, circuit structures can be provided for packaging substrates by using MIS (molded interconnect system) packaging technologies.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for fabricating a circuit structure 1 by using MIS packaging technologies.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1A′, a plurality of circuits 16, 17, a plurality of first conductive pads 11 and a plurality of conductive posts 13 are sequentially formed on a surface 10 a of a carrier 10. Each of the first conductive pads 11 has a circular shape. Each of the conductive posts 13 has a cylindrical shape. Then, an encapsulant 14 is formed on the surface 10 a of the carrier 10 by molding for encapsulating the first conductive pads 11 and the conductive posts 13. Further, surfaces of the conductive posts 13 are exposed from the encapsulant 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1B′, a plurality of circuits 16, 17 are formed on the encapsulant 14 and a plurality of second conductive pads 12 are formed on the exposed surfaces of the conductive posts 13 and the encapsulant 14 around peripheries of the conductive posts 13. Each of the second conductive pads 12 has a circular shape.

Referring to FIG. 1C, the carrier 10 is removed to expose the first conductive pads 11 from the encapsulant 14. As such, a circuit structure 1 is formed. The first and second conductive pads 11, 12 can be used for bonding with solder bumps and solder balls, respectively. Further, each of the conductive posts 13 has a diameter r and each of the first and second conductive pads 11, 12 has a diameter d greater than the diameter r.

However, in the conventional circuit structure 1, since the first and second conductive pads 11, 12 are circular-shaped metal pads and occupy a certain area of the overall wiring space, the wiring of the circuits 16, 17 is limited. For example, a certain distance must be kept between the circuits 17 and the first conductive pads 11, and consequently, only a limited number of the circuits 17 can be formed to pass between two adjacent first conductive pads 11, thereby adversely affecting the wiring flexibility, reducing the wiring density and making it difficult to meet the demands for fine-pitch and multi-joints.

Further, since the diameter d of each of the first and second conductive pads 11, 12 is greater than the diameter r of each of the conductive posts 13, the conductive posts 13 have a smaller-sized path of thermal and electrical conduction compared with the first and second conductive pads 11, 12, thus leading to poor thermal and electrical conductivities of the circuit structure 1.

Therefore, how to overcome the above-described drawbacks has become critical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-described drawbacks, the present invention provides a circuit structure, which comprises: a plurality of conductive posts each having opposite first and second end surfaces; a plurality of first conductive pads bonded to the first end surfaces of the conductive posts, wherein a length of each of the first conductive pads is greater than a width of the first conductive pad; and a plurality of second conductive pads bonded to the second end surfaces of the conductive posts.

The present invention further provides a method for fabricating a circuit structure, which comprises the steps of: forming a plurality of first conductive pads on a carrier, wherein a length of each of the first conductive pads is greater than a width of the first conductive pad; forming a plurality of conductive posts on the first conductive pads, wherein each of the conductive posts has opposite first and second end surfaces and the first conductive pads are bonded to the first end surfaces of the conductive posts; and forming a plurality of second conductive pads on the second end surfaces of the conductive posts.

After forming the second conductive pads, the above-described method can further comprise removing the carrier.

In the above-described structure and method, each of the first conductive pads has a polygonal shape or an asymmetric geometric shape. For example, each of the first conductive pads has a quadrilateral shape or a rounded elongated shape.

In the above-described structure and method, each of the first conductive pads is less in area than the first end surface of the corresponding conductive post.

In the above-described structure and method, a length of each of the second conducive pads is greater than a width of the second conductive pad. For example, each of the second conductive pads has a polygonal shape or an asymmetric geometric shape. In particular, each of the second conductive pads has a quadrilateral shape or a rounded elongated shape.

In the above-described structure and method, each of the second conductive pads is less in area than the second end surface of the corresponding conductive post.

After forming the conductive posts, the method can further comprise forming an insulating layer on the carrier for encapsulating the conductive posts. For example, the insulating layer is an encapsulant. The insulating layer can further encapsulate the first conductive pads. In an embodiment, the second conductive pads are formed first and then the insulating layer is formed to encapsulate the second conductive pads. In another embodiment, the insulating layer is formed before the second conductive pads are formed.

According to the present invention, the length of each of the first conductive pads is greater than the width of the first conductive pad so as to reduce an occupation area of the first conductive pad along an axial direction and increase a distance between adjacent first conductive pads. As such, the wiring space is increased. For example, the number of circuits passing between two adjacent first conductive pads is increased. Therefore, the present invention increases the wiring density and meets the demands for fine-pitch and multijoints.

Further, since each of the first and second conductive pads can be less in area than the end surface of the corresponding conductive post, the conductive post has a larger-sized path of thermal and electrical conduction relative to the first and second conductive pads. As such, the circuit structure of the present invention achieves preferred thermal and electrical conductivities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for fabricating a circuit structure according to the prior art, wherein FIG. 1A′ is a partially upper view of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1B′ is a perspective view of the circuit structure (not including an encapsulant);

FIGS. 2A to 2F are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for fabricating a circuit structure according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A′ is an upper view of FIG. 2A, FIG. 2D′ shows another embodiment of FIG. 2D, and FIGS. 2F′ and 2F″ show other embodiments of FIG. 2F;

FIGS. 3A to 3C are schematic perspective views showing different embodiments of the circuit structure of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4 and 4′ are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for fabricating a circuit structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following illustrative embodiments are provided to illustrate the disclosure of the present invention, these and other advantages and effects can be apparent to those in the art after reading this specification.

It should be noted that all the drawings are not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, “on”, “a” etc. are merely for illustrative purposes and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A to 2F are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for fabricating a circuit structure 2 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2A′, a patterned first metal layer is formed on a carrier 20. The first metal layer has a plurality of circuits 26, 27 and a plurality of first conductive pads 21 connected to the circuits 26.

In the present embodiment, each of the first conductive pads 21 has a length Y and a width X and the length Y is greater than the width X. As such, the first conductive pad 21 has a rounded elongated shape, for example, an oval shape. Therefore, an occupation area of the first conductive pad 21 along an axial direction (i.e., the width X direction) is reduced and a distance between adjacent first conductive pads 21 is increased, thereby increasing the wiring space. For example, compared with the prior art that only allows one circuit to pass between two adjacent conductive pads, the present invention allows a plurality of circuits 27 (for example, three circuits) to pass between two adjacent first conductive pads 21.

In other embodiments, referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, each of the first conductive pads 31, 31′, 31″ has a polygonal shape, for example, a quadrilateral shape or a rounded elongated shape, or an asymmetric geometric shape, for example, a T-shape or a curved shape.

Further, referring to FIG. 3C, the first conductive pad 31″ serves as both a heat dissipating pad and a power source pad. Therefore, a chip (not shown) only needs a single electrode pad to be electrically connected to the first conductive pad 31″.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a first photoresist layer 28 a is formed on the carrier 20 for encapsulating the first conductive pads 21, and surfaces of the first conductive pads 21 are exposed from the first photoresist layer 28 a. Then, a second photoresist layer 28 b is formed on the first photoresist layer 28 a. The second photoresist layer 28 b has a plurality of open areas 280 corresponding in position to the first conductive pads 21 so as to expose the surfaces of first conductive pads 21.

Referring to FIG. 2C, a plurality of conductive posts 23 are formed on the first conductive pads 21 in the open areas 280. Each of the conductive posts 23 has a first end surface 23 a and a second end surface 23 b opposite to the first end surface 23 a. The first conductive pads 21 are bonded to the first end surfaces 23 a of the conductive posts 23.

In the present embodiment, the conductive posts 23 are copper cylinders. An area A of each of the first conductive pads 21 is less than an area B of the first end surface 23 a of the corresponding conductive post 23. Therefore, the conductive post 23 has a larger-sized path of thermal and electrical conduction compared with the first conductive pad 21, thereby improving heat dissipation and electrical conduction effects of the conductive post 23.

Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, each of the first conductive pads 31, 31′, 31″ of different shapes is less in area than the first end surface 33 a of the corresponding conductive post 33.

Referring to FIGS. 2D and 3A, a patterned second metal layer is formed on the second end surfaces 23 b of the conductive posts 23. The second metal layer has a plurality of circuits 26, 27 and a plurality of second conductive pads 22, 32 connected to the circuits 26 and bonded to the second end surfaces 23 b of the conductive posts 23.

In the present embodiment, referring to FIG. 2D and FIGS. 3A to 3C, the second conductive pads 22, 32, 32′, 32″ have a shape similar to the first conductive pads 21, 31, 31′, 31″. For example, each of the second conductive pads has a polygonal shape, for example, a quadrilateral shape or a rounded elongated shape, or an asymmetric geometric shape.

An area C of each of the second conductive pads 22 is less than the area B of the second end surface 23 b of the corresponding conductive post 23. In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 2D′, an area C′ of each of the second conductive pads 22′ is greater than the area B of the second end surface 23 b of the corresponding conductive post 23.

Referring to FIG. 2E, continued from FIG. 2D, the first and second photoresist layers 28 a, 28 b are removed and then a molding process is performed to form an insulating layer 24, such as an encapsulant, on the carrier 20. The insulating layer 24 encapsulates the first conductive pads 21, the conductive posts 23 and the second conductive pads 22. In the present embodiment, the insulating layer 24 has opposite first and second sides 24 a, 24 b. The first conductive pads 21 are positioned at the first side 24 a of the insulating layer 24. The conductive posts 23 are positioned in the insulating layer 24. The second conductive pads 22 are positioned at the second side 24 b of the insulating layer 24.

Further, the first conductive pads 21 are embedded in the first side 24 a of the insulating layer 24 and the second conductive pads 22 are embedded in the second side 24 b of the insulating layer 24.

Referring to FIG. 2F, the carrier 20 is removed to expose the first conductive pads 21 from the first side 24 a of the insulating layer 24.

In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 2F′, a circuit structure 2′ is formed according to the process of FIG. 2D′.

Referring to FIG. 2F″, the first and second photoresist layers 28 a, 28 b are removed first and then a molding process is performed. Thereafter, a plurality of second conductive pads 22″ are formed on the second end surfaces 23 b of the conductive posts 23 and positioned on the second side 24 b of the insulating layer 24.

According to the present invention, the length Y of each of the first conductive pads 21 is greater than the width X of the first conductive pad 21 so as to reduce an occupation area of the first conductive pad 21 along an axial direction and increase a distance between adjacent first conductive pads 21. Therefore, the present invention increases the wiring space and density and meets the wiring demand.

Similarly, an occupation area of each of the second conductive pads 22 along an axial direction can be reduced to achieve the same effect. For example, a plurality of circuits 27 (for example, two circuits) are allowed to pass between two adjacent second conductive pads 22 in FIG. 2F, while only one circuit 27 is allowed to pass between two adjacent second conductive pads 22′ in FIG. 2F′.

Further, the area A of each of the first conductive pads 21 is less than the area B of the first end surface 23 a of the corresponding conductive post 23. In addition, the area C of each of the second conductive pads 22 can be less than the area B of the second end surface 23 b of the corresponding conductive post 23. As such, the conductive post 23 has a larger-sized path of thermal and electrical conduction relative to the first and second conductive pads 21, 22. Therefore, the circuit structure 2 has preferred thermal and electrical conductivities.

In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, first, the second photoresist layer 28 b is removed and the second conductive pads 22′ and the insulating layer 24 are formed. Then, the first photoresist layer 28 a and the carrier 20 are removed. As such, the first conductive pads 41 are positioned on the first side 24 a of the insulating layer 24.

In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 4′, a support member 29 is further disposed on the first side 24 a of the insulating layer 24. For example, a hard member is provided after the carrier 20 is removed, or the support member 29 is directly fabricated from the carrier 20.

The present invention further provides a circuit structure 2, 2′, 2″, 3, 3′, 3″, 4, 4′, which has: a plurality of conductive posts 23, 33 each having opposite first and second end surfaces 23 a, 23 b; a plurality of first conductive pads 21, 31, 31′, 31″ bonded to the first end surfaces 23 a of the conductive posts 23, 33, wherein a length Y of each of the first conductive pads 21, 31, 31′, 31″ is greater than a width X of the first conductive pad 21, 31, 31′, 31″; and a plurality of second conductive pads 22, 22′, 22″, 32, 32′, 32″ bonded to the second end surfaces 23 b of the conductive posts 23, 33.

Each of the first conductive pads 21, 31, 31′, 31″ can have a quadrilateral shape, a rounded elongated shape (for example, an oval shape) or an asymmetric geometric shape (for example, a T-shape).

A length of each of the second conductive pads 22, 22′, 22″, 32, 32′, 32″ can be greater than a width of the second conductive pad 22, 22′, 22″, 32, 32′, 32″. For example, each of the second conductive pads 22, 22′, 22″, 32, 32′, 32″ has a polygonal shape or an asymmetric geometric shape (for example, a T-shape).

In an embodiment, an area A of each of the first conductive pads 21, 31, 31′, 31″ is less than an area B of the first end surface 23 a of the corresponding conductive post 23.

In an embodiment, an area C of each of the second conductive pads 22 is less than an area B of the second end surface 23 b of the corresponding conductive post 23.

In an embodiment, the circuit structure 2, 2′, 2″, 4, 4′ further has an insulating layer 24, for example, an encapsulant. The insulating layer 24 has opposite first and second sides 24 a, 24 b. The first conductive pads 21 are embedded in the first side 24 a of the insulating layer 24. The conductive posts 23 are positioned in the insulating layer 24. The second conductive pads 22″ are positioned on the second side 24 b of the insulating layer 24. Alternatively, the second conductive pads 22, 22′ are embedded in the second side 24 b of the insulating layer 24.

According to the present invention, the length of each of the conductive pads can be greater than the width of the conductive pad so as to reduce an occupation area of the conductive pad along an axial direction and increase a distance between adjacent conductive pads. Therefore, the present invention increases the wiring space and density and meets the demands for fine-pitch and multi-joints.

Further, since each of the conductive pads can be less in area than the end surface of the corresponding conductive post, the conductive post has a larger-sized path of thermal and electrical conduction compared with the conductive pad. As such, the circuit structure of the present invention achieves preferred thermal and electrical conductivities.

The above-described descriptions of the detailed embodiments are only to illustrate the preferred implementation according to the present invention, and it is not to limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, all modifications and variations completed by those with ordinary skill in the art should fall within the scope of present invention defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A circuit structure, comprising: a conductive post having opposite first and second end surfaces; a first conductive pad bonded to the first end surface of the conductive post, wherein the first conductive pad has an asymmetric geometric shape, a length of the first conductive pad is greater than a width of the first conductive pad, and the first conductive pad is less in area than the first end surface of the corresponding conductive post; a second conductive pad bonded to the second end surface of the conductive post, wherein the second conductive pad is less in area than the second end surface of the corresponding conductive post; and an insulating layer encapsulating the conductive post, wherein the insulating layer has opposite first and second sides, the first conductive pad is positioned at the first side of the insulating layer, the second conductive pad is positioned at the second side of the insulating layer, the first side of the insulating layer is flush with a surface of the first conductive pad, and the second side of the insulating layer is flush with a surface of the second conductive pad.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first conductive pad has a quadrilateral shape or a rounded elongated shape.
 3. The structure of claim 1, wherein a length of the second conductive pad is greater than a width of the second conductive pad.
 4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the second conductive pad has a polygonal shape or an asymmetric geometric shape.
 5. The structure of claim 4, wherein the second conductive pad has a quadrilateral shape or a rounded elongated shape. 